Material separator for a vertical pneumatic system

ABSTRACT

A method for depositing a fluidized material ( 24 ) fills a vertical storage silo ( 8 ) from a vertically centered pneumatic tube ( 14 ). A system for flowing, separating, and depositing has a plurality of separators. A support ( 15 ) suspends and centers the system within a silo ( 8 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/850,770 filed Feb. 23, 2013 which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

This application relates to the depositing of granular materials by a pneumatic conveyor into a storage silo.

Pneumatic conveyor systems have become a popular alternative to augers and belted conveyors for the movement of granular materials. Pneumatic systems are especially suitable for farm grains for the following reasons:

a) Grain is carried within a stream of air for less grain damage.

b) A pneumatic delivery system is more economical to install.

c) A pneumatic system is more versatile for multiple silos and multiple silo types at a storage facility.

d) Pneumatic systems are sealed against water and pest infiltration between receiving point to drop point of the grain.

e) One pneumatic system can be utilized to move a variety of grain types without cross contamination, simply by turning a valve distributor between silos.

f) Pneumatic systems are easier to maintain.

Problems associated with the present art of grain delivery to the top of a storage silo are many.

a) An expensive cyclone is required for the top of each silo.

b) The entire system is exterior of the silo, exposing the machinery to weather related damage.

c) Expensive hardware must be used to support the pneumatic tubing system.

d) Much of the installation is high above ground and not easily serviced.

e) Unnecessary grain to grain damage occurs due to the falling of grain from the silo top to the silo floor. This percentage (%) of grain damage increases with the height of the silo.

f) Mixed granular materials experience product separation when dropped into the top of a silo.

g) An efficiency loss of approximately ten percent (10%) for every twenty-five (25) feet of vertical rise is common to all pneumatic delivery systems. For example: a pneumatic system used to fill a silo 100 feet tall would operate at 40% less than full capacity (100÷25×10%=40%).

U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,063 B1 Karlsen et al. Oct. 14, 2003, describes an elaborate and expensive system for the reduction of material separation from a top filled silo.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,769 to Bach et al. Aug. 5, 1986, depicts an elaborate chute system for reducing grain damage and separation. This system requires a top filled silo.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,364 to Krambrock Apr. 14, 1978, discloses a method for sequential filling that is impractical to a single unsealed silo.

The article Pneumatic Conveying Systems course No. M 05-010 by A. Bhatia @ CEDengineering.com discusses the technical aspects of the present art. Bhatia describes possible problems related to pneumatic conveyors. On page 17 and 18 of 57 the author discusses “choking” as a problem related to a pneumatic tubing installed vertically. A choking condition occurs when the granular material settles out of the airstream and falls downward.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment a method for the depositing of granular material within a storage silo having a means of supporting an internal structure, a means of separating air from material for a pneumatic system, and a method for sequential filling of said silo.

The present application has many advantages to be added to the present art of pneumatic delivery systems.

a) The elimination of roof top delivery removes a major source of contamination.

b) The extra expense associated to machinery for roof top delivery is eliminated.

c) The reduced drop height associated with sequential delivery greatly reduces grain to grain impact and material separation.

d) The reduction in average drop height of material also increases efficiency of this pneumatic system. Typically a 10% reduction of flow is calculated for each 25 feet of vertical rise. A 100 foot silo of previous design would have a 40% loss of efficiency (100÷25×10=40%).

The calculated loss for the present invention would be 25% for a system having four (4) separators ((10%+20%+30%+40%)÷4)=25%). This is a 15% increase of delivery efficiency.

e) Pneumatic tube routing to the silo is done at ground level for easier maintenance of horizontal pneumatic tubing connected to the silo.

f) The delivery system is protected from weather deterioration and requires no maintenance.

g) Another advantage is simplicity of operation.

h) No moving parts are required.

i) Separators act independently and automatically.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a line drawing of a vertical cross section of a silo containing two separators, one top separator and four clamp assembly.

FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross section of one embodiment of separator.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of separator of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross section of one embodiment of a top separator.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of top separator of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of clamp assembly 15 with silo and tube cross section.

FIG. 7 shows a vertical side cross sectional view of a pneumatic tube, silo, and clamp assembly of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT

One embodiment of present invention is shown within a vertical storage silo 8 in FIG. 1 (vertical side cross section). Silo 8 has a material level 9.

A conventional pneumatic charging system is shown generally as conveyor 7. Conveyor 7 conducts to tube 14. Tube 14 is a pneumatic transfer tube of prior art. Horizontal tube 114 enters silo 8 through lower portion of silo wall 13. Elbow 12 directs tube 114 into the vertical center of said silo 8 continuing as tube 214 slips into separator 108. Separator 108 transmits upward through tube 314 slips into separator 208. Separator 208 connects to tube 414 to top separator 308.

Tube 14 is suspended and centered within silo 8 from silo wall 13 by a series of clamp assembly 15 a,b,c and d.

Clamp assembly 15 a is positioned near bottom of vertical rise of tube 214.

Clamp assembly 15 b is positioned below separator 108 near top of tube 214.

Clamp assembly 15 c is positioned below separator 208 near top of tube 314. Clamp assembly 15 d is positioned on 414.

Clamp assembly 15 d is typical of clamp assemblies 15. Clamp assembly 15 d is shown as: clamp 16 d attached through brace 10 a and 10 c to respective wall bracket 11 a and 11 c. Wall brackets 11 a and 11 c are attached to the inner surface of silo wall 13. Brace 10 is a metal rod or cable having 2 end holes. Brace 10 has a length equal to or grater than radius of silo 8.

Clamp assembly 15 of FIG. 1. is shown in greater detail of FIG. 6 (top view, silo cross section) and FIG. 7 (vertical silo cross section).

Clamp 16 is a subassembly of clamp assembly 15. Clamp 16 has an inside circumference less than the outside circumference of tube 214. Clamp 16 is composed of metal plate or metal casting. Clamp 16 is an union of two equal half clamps 17 a and 17 b. Half clamp 17 a has outward radiating end flange 215 a or 215 c on each end. Half clamp 17 a has one or more brackets 415 d evenly spaced between half clamp 17 a ends. Bracket 415 d has two flanges closely spaced, and parallel. Bracket 415 d has one aligning through hole shared with adjacent flanges. Bracket 415 a is formed by flange 215 a of half clamp 17 a and flange 215 a′ of half clamp 17 b.

A wall bracket 11 is metal or metal casting fixture. Each wall bracket 11 has a base and 2 parallel wall bracket flanges. Wall bracket flanges share a common aligning through hole. The base of wall bracket 11 has two or more holes.

Wall brackets 211 a,b,c, and d are evenly spaced on a horizontal plane of inner surface of silo 13. Each wall bracket 11 is above the vertical height of clamp 16. Each wall position 213 a,b,c,d aligns with a corresponding wall bracket 211 a,b,c,d. Each wall bracket 11 is mechanically fastened or bolted to silo 8 through silo wall 13.

Wall brackets 211 a,b,c, and d of FIG. 6 are evenly spaced on inner surface of silo 13 at corresponding positions 213 a,b,c, and d. Wall brackets 211 a,b and c of FIG. 7 are shown at a vertical height above half clamp 17 b. Each wall bracket 211 is mechanically fastened or bolted to through silo wall 13.

Each clamp bracket 415 and d is connected to silo wall 13 equally. Clamp bracket 415 receives and retains one open end of brace 10 with a bolt. Wall bracket 11 receives and retains second open end of brace 10 with a bolt or fastener. Each bracket 415 is secured to each brace 10 by a mechanical fastener or bolt 615. Each brace 210 a,b,c, and d radiates outward and upward from respective bracket 415 a,b,c,and d. Each open end of brace 210 a,b,c, and d is inserted into corresponding wall bracket 211 a,b,c, and d. Brace 10 is secured to wall bracket 11 by fastener or bolt 615.

One embodiment of a material separator 108 is shown in FIG. 2 (vertical side cross section) and FIG. 3 bottom view. Separator base 408 is a metal cylinder with an inside diameter three (3) times the outside diameter of inlet 317. Separator 108 is coaxial to separator inlet 317 and overlaps a vertical portion thereof. Separator base 408 is structurally connected to inlet 317, by plurality of web members 407 a,b,c, and d. The difference in circular area between separator base 408 and separator inlet 317 creates drop area 418. The inside diameter of inlet 317 is greater than the outside diameter of tube 214.

Separator base 408 continues upward and inward to outlet 412 creating forcing cone 419. Outlet 412 has the same outside diameter as tube 214. The overall height of a separator 108 is approximately six (6) times the diameter of inlet 317.

One embodiment of a top separator 308 is shown in FIG. 4 (vertical side cross section) and FIG. 5 (bottom view). Top separator base 508 is a metal cylinder with an inside diameter three (3) times the outside diameter of top separator inlet 414. Top separator base 508 is coaxial to top separator inlet 414. Top separator base 508 is structurally connected to said inlet 414 through plurality of web members 507 a,b,c and d.

Top separator wall 519 is a continuation of top base 508. Said wall 519 slopes inward and upward to a diameter two (2) times diameter of said inlet 414 creating an expanded area. The overall height of top separator 308 is six (6) times the diameter of said top separator inlet 414. Top 513 of top separator 308 is mushroom shaped. The stem of top 513 is centered into top outlet 512. Top 513 is connected to upper portion of top separator wall 519 by a plurality of web members 607 a,b,c, and d.

Operation

A material separator system of the present art uses the same pneumatic transfer machines and tubing as prior art. Typically a blower supplies air flow to a rotary airlock. The rotary airlock entrains material into the airstream creating a pneumatic fluid propelled mixture. This process is shown as conveyor 7 in FIG. 1.

For a storage silo having a material level 9, tube 14 receives pneumatic propelled material into storage silo 8 through lower portion of silo wall 13. Pneumatic material flow 24 is propelled horizontally through tube 114 to elbow 12. Elbow 12 directs pneumatic material flow 24 upward into vertical center of the storage silo 8.

Pneumatic tube 214 transmits pneumatic material flow 24 downstream. Selectively closed separator 108 directs material flow 24 into tube 314 to separator 208. Separator 208 provides a means for the choking separation of entrained material from the conducting fluid flow. Pneumatically propelled material 24 expands into the increased diametric volume of separator 208. Air flow 134 is rapidly released through separator outlet 412 and also downward through open bottom 418 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Insufficient air pressure results in a choking action, depositing material 124 by gravity through open bottom 418. Falling material 124 raises level of grain mound 9 to meet open bottom 418 of separator 208. Material 124 blocks open bottom 418 blocking material flow 24 release through open bottom 418.

Pneumatic material flow 24 is reestablished upstream to top separator 308. The operation of top separator 308 is similar to that of separator 208 and 108. Top 513 inserted into top separator outlet 512 redirects pneumatic material flow 24 downward into the storage silo.

Thus, for each separator, the separator functions selectively in either one of two modes of operation. In one mode of operation, the separator separates the granular material from the airstream entraining the granular material. In another mode of operation, the airstream entraining the granular material flows through the separator without separating. The selection between the two modes of operation is automatic, based on whether the surface of the grain mound does or does not block the outlet of the separator for depositing the granular material onto the grain mound, and requires no moving parts. Thus, the separator selectively separates the granular material to sequentially fill the silo up to the height that that separator is located within the silo.

A method for the suspension and centering of a pneumatic tube 14 is provided by a plurality of clamp assemblies 15 a,b,c and d. Each clamp assembly 15 is structurally attached to the silo wall 13 through a plurality of brackets to distribute pressure. The distribution of wall brackets 11 throughout the silo provides even weight transfer to the silo walls.

The two equal halves of clamp 16 simplifies construction. Clamp 16 provides for even load transfer and stabilization through the application of opposing clamp brackets 415.

Suspension of an internal pneumatic system provides an unobstructed floor area for mechanical sweeping.

It is also possible to charge the system of the present art through the silo floor as an alternative to through the wall delivery.

The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to only metal materials. Plastic and rubber may also be substituted for any or all parts.

Another advantage is the simplicity of operation. No moving parts are required. The separators act independently and automatically. The separators deposit material sequentially along on the downstream flow from the lowest position to the top of the storage silo.

Although the preceding specifications are primarily for grain, claims and intent should be construed to include all manner of granular material. Pelletized food products, fuels, coal, animal feeds, plastics, and fiber products are a few of the other items suitable for pneumatic transfer for storage. The present disclosure also lends itself to colorful displays including confectionaries through the use of clear glass or clear plastic materials. 

I claim:
 1. A method of delivering material being transported by a conveyor entraining the material within a flow of fluid, wherein said method comprises: flowing the fluid flow entraining the material into a separator; selectively separating the material from the fluid flow within the separator; and depositing the material, from said selectively separating, out of the separator.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said selectively separating comprises automatically selectively separating the material from the fluid flow within the separator.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said selectively separating comprises choking the fluid flow entraining the material within the separator.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said flowing comprises orienting the fluid flow entraining the material vertically upwardly into the separator.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the separator is an upstream separator and said depositing forms a mound of the material, and said method further comprises: stopping said selectively separating and said depositing; reestablishing the fluid flow entraining the material through the upstream separator; flowing the fluid flow entraining the material into a downstream separator that is downstream of the upstream separator; selectively separating the material from the fluid flow within the downstream separator; and depositing the material, from said selectively separating within the downstream separator, out of the downstream separator onto the mound of the material.
 6. A system for delivering material being transported by a conveyor entraining the material within a flow of fluid, wherein said system comprises: a tube for receiving the fluid flow entraining the material; and a separator connected to said tube for selectively separating the material from the fluid flow, wherein said separator comprises an inlet for the fluid flow entraining the material, means for depositing the material from the selectively separating out of said separator, and an outlet.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein said depositing means comprises means for automatically depositing the material from the selectively separating out of said separator.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said automatically depositing means comprises another outlet through which the material from the selectively separating flows out of said separator, forming a mound of the material having a surface, only until the surface of the mound blocks said other outlet.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein said separator further comprises means for choking the fluid flow entraining the material within said separator.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said choking means comprises said tube and said separator being vertically oriented with said outlet being above said inlet.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein said choking means further comprises said outlet being above said depositing means.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said separator further comprises a wall, and said choking means further comprises said wall tapering upwardly.
 13. The system of claim 6, wherein said separator is an upstream separator and said system further comprises a downstream separator that is downstream from and connected to said outlet for selectively separating the material from the fluid flow when the selectively separating of said upstream separator stops.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said downstream separator comprises: an inlet for the fluid flow entraining the material; means for depositing the material, from the selectively separating of said downstream separator, out of said downstream separator and onto the material from the selectively separating of said upstream separator; and an outlet.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein said downstream separator further comprises an open cap at said outlet thereof.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said cap is mushroom shaped.
 17. The system of claim 6, further comprising a support suspending said system; wherein said support comprises at least one clamp assembly mounted on said tube, and a set of braces for each respective said clamp assembly suspending said tube.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein each said clamp assembly comprises: two equal halves each having two ends and an outer side; a bracket for each said end; and a bracket for each said side.
 19. The system of claim 6, wherein said system delivers the material to a storage having a wall, said separator is an upstream separator and is within the storage, said depositing means comprises means for automatically depositing the material from the selectively separating out of said upstream separator, the material from the selectively separating out of said upstream separator forms a mound of the material within the storage having a surface, and said system further comprises: a downstream separator that is within the storage and downstream from said outlet for selectively separating the material from the fluid flow when the selectively separating of said upstream separator stops; a tube interconnecting said outlet and said downstream separator for flowing the fluid flow from the upstream separator to the downstream separator; and a support suspending said system within the storage, said support comprising a plurality of clamp assemblies each mounted on any one of said tubes and a set of braces for each respective said clamp assembly interconnecting said respective clamp assembly and the storage wall; wherein said tubes and said separators are vertically oriented within the storage with said outlet being above said inlet, and said support vertically suspends said system within the storage; and wherein said system automatically sequentially fills the storage as initially said upstream separator is selectively separating the material onto the mound until the surface of the mound blocks said automatically depositing means and stops the selectively separating of the upstream separator, and then subsequently said downstream separator is selectively separating the material onto the mound.
 20. A separator for separating material from a flow of fluid being transported by a conveyor entraining the material within the fluid flow, wherein said separator comprises: an inlet for the fluid flow entraining the material; means for selectively separating the material from the fluid flow; a first outlet for depositing the material, from the selectively separating of said selectively separating means, out of said separator; and a second outlet.
 21. The separator of claim 20, wherein said selectively separating means comprises: means for choking the fluid flow entraining the material within said separator; and means for selectively flowing the material, from the selectively separating of said selectively separating means, through said first outlet; wherein said selectively separating means is selectively separating the material from the fluid flow only when said selectively flowing means is selectively flowing the material through said first outlet.
 22. The separator of claim 20, wherein said first outlet comprises webs connected to said inlet.
 23. The separator of claim 22, further comprising an open cap at said second outlet; and wherein said second outlet comprises webs connected to said cap.
 24. The separator of claim 20, further comprising a wall connected to said first outlet and said second outlet, wherein said wall tapers from said first outlet to said second outlet.
 25. The separator of claim 20, wherein said separator, said inlet, said first outlet, and said second outlet are coaxial.
 26. A support for an outlet of a conveyor depositing material to a storage, wherein said support comprises: at least one clamp assembly mounted on the outlet; and a set of braces for each respective said clamp assembly suspending the outlet within the storage.
 27. The support of claim 26, further comprising wall brackets connected to said braces, respectively, for connecting to a wall of the storage.
 28. The support of claim 26, wherein each said clamp assembly comprises: two equal halves each having two ends and an outer side; a bracket for each said end; a bracket for each said side; a first connector connecting one set of said brackets of adjacent said ends and a first of said braces thereof; a second connector connecting another set of said brackets of adjacent said ends and a second of said braces thereof; a third connector connecting said bracket of one said side and a third of said braces thereof; and a fourth connector connecting said bracket of another said side and a fourth of said braces thereof.
 29. A clamp assembly for clamping around a tube, said clamp assembly comprising: two equal halves each having two ends and an outer side; a bracket for each said end; and a bracket for each said side, each said bracket for said sides comprising a connection point for interconnecting the tube with another object, respectively.
 30. The clamp assembly of claim 29, wherein each set of said brackets for adjacent said ends comprises a connection point for interconnecting the tube with another object, respectively. 